Hsanni Scott-Matthews
Hsanni Scott-Matthews
CEO + Executive Producer of
Soul Fire Productions
An Artist with a gift to craft imaginative stories….
Creative writing, coupled with a passion for travel, provided Hsanni the opportunity to freelance as a writer for numerous travel and destination publications. Writing for the Atlanta City Metro publication, influenced the launch of Telamon, a marketing company she founded in the early nineties, in Atlanta Georgia. The company crafted travel and tourism campaigns for the now defunct, African American Travel and Tourism Association. She became a founding member and Public Relations Executive for the AATTA. Her merited affiliations and leadership qualifications were being regarded worldwide, recognizing a market to advance a platform for African American travel, culture and luxury lifestyle ventures. Hsanni leveraged her skills and created a publishing company, Scott Gary Communications from 1994-2000, which launched her magazine, Excursions! Multicultural Travel Publication in 1996. This magazine had a focused distribution in a number of U.S. East-board airports. As internet technology began to influence purchasing and viewing preferences, the magazine was rebranded to an online publication, Compass Travel in 2000 until 2003.
Following a course typical of most successful writers, Hsanni penned her first fictional novel in 2015, entitled “The Rhythm of Love “. The inaugural narrative received notable reviews. Mounting feedback generated by the books’ favorable commentary petitioned that the story be adapted into an episodic television series. A steady anticipation awaits to invoke breath into a sensually provocative on-screen depiction of The Rhythm of Love’s protagonist, Helene Hayes. Prospects for the novel to be produced as an online streaming series has gained international appeal as The Rhythm of Love was pitched initially at the Capetown Film Festival in South Africa, where Hsanni was invited by the Chairman of the festival, Rafiq Samsodian, to be a presenter discussing Indie Filmmaking during one of the many, well-attended workshops in 2017.
Hsanni continued to produce excitement with her creativity. She wrote a poetry book, “Chasing Love” in 2019 and that prompted another electric production, Rhapsody-N-Soul. Headlining, David Matthews, the poet introduced by Nikki Giovanni in the seventies and she brought other poets from Canada, Harlem and Brooklyn, New York, Indianapolis, Indiana and of course a well-known Spoken-Word artist from Dayton, Ohio, her hometown. This poetic production, held a month before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, received such rave reviews that through the horrific pandemic the demands for the return of the production flooded her email and social media. May 13, 2022 her second production of Rhapsody-N-Soul, “Revival Revelation Rejoice”, brought a cornucopia of talents! And again her selection of poets, and musicians did not disappoint! Hsanni has been a Producer on the movie short, “Lonely Matrimony” in 2021 and is in talks with the theatrical production company StarHouse Entertainment Company out of Atlanta, Georgia, to co-produce Super Star Dreamz in Dayton, Ohio.
A member of Filmdayton and DATV, she continues to be a force to be reckoned with! Currently, writing the sequel to The Rhythm of Love, “The Sands of Time “, and a documentary,
“WORD-OLOGY”, which researches the ascension of poetry to the ever popular spoken-word. WORD-OLOGY is set to also become a Reality sitcom as well, inviting minority students to present themselves and be evaluated by students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Hsanni lives to create and to showcase the creativity and talents of all Creatives
David Matthews
A Discovery of World-Acclaimed Poetess Nikki Giovanni in 1972, and since then has made a lasting impression in the world of poetry. As a native of Dayton, Ohio, often Matthews has been referred to, as the next Paul Laurence Dunbar. Matthews graduated from Urbana University Urbana, Ohio with a B.S. in Behavioral Science B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Theatre and Creative Writing in 1974. His books are in libraries across the country. If you take a Poetry 101 course from the University of Northern Colorado in Greenly, Colorado or Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, you will have to study the works of David Matthews.
Over the years Matthews has performed in over 21 different States, at over 300 College and University campuses and in Europe. Matthews has been awarded, the ‘National Poem of the Year Award’ from the Los Angeles, American Poet Society twice. First in 1973 for the poem “America Ain’t You Got No Shame”. Then again in 1976 for the poem “They Say Bicentennial But We Are The Ones That Over Came, Can You Get To That?” He is the only poet to receive the award twice. Matthews was also awarded the ‘Outstanding Young Man of The Year Award’ in Montgomery, Alabama in 1980. He received the ‘Literary Consciousness Award’
from Northern Kentucky University in 1981. The’ Key to the city of Dayton’ 1982 and the ‘WROU U92 Black Achievement Award’ in 2001. In addition, he received ‘Dayton’s Top 10 African American Award’ in 2006.
Not a stranger to the stage, Matthews has performed with a variety of artist, including Gil Scott-Heron, the group WAR and Grover Washington Jr. He performed for years with his, poetry production company called “An Evening On Broadway with Author, Poet/Musician david Matthews.” He is the author of three books of poetry and a CD: the feel of FEELING 1976, Time Brings About A Change 1980, MESSAGE 1984 and CD – A Poetic Awakening 2002. Barnes & Nobles in 2010 quoted the value of Matthews first published poetry book, the feel of FEELING 1976 an autographed copy at $202. The manuscript was published by Vantage Press in New York City. Matthews is amazingly talented he also plays 19 different African and Latin Percussion instruments. He continues to reach audiences throughout the country and makes an impact in the community through his art.
Click here to read more at The Ohioana Library
Kathryn Mobley
Kathryn Mobley is an award-winning media producer, crafting an array of stories for more than 30 years. She’s reported and produced for TV, NPR affiliates and for the web. She’s excited to join the Soul Fire Productions team and contribute to their live entertainment events.
Recently, Mobley’s skills led the WCSU-FM team (Central State University) as they took on a year-long, grant-funded campaign called ‘Save A Life’. She identified monthly topics, researched each one and found people for the interviews. She then managed all post-production, music selection and editing for each resulting story. They aired on WCSU-FM as well as on the station’s social media platforms. Additionally, Mobley brokered relationships with two community television stations, DATV & MVCC. Both outlets also aired the stories throughout the Dayton Metropolitan area. These stories are housed at Save A Life - WCSU (wcsufm.org).
Mobley also contributes to several area community groups. She sings tenor with World House Choir (Yellow Springs), she’s a board member of the Beavercreek Community Theatre and volunteers with DATV (Dayton) and MVCC (Centerville).
Adri Liebenberg France
Adri Liebenberg France, AKA Adri Florence Liebenberg, was born in Mamre, on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. She speaks two languages: Afrikaans and English. Her parents are Adriaan Jakobus Liebenberg and Georgina Liebenberg (née Van Niekerk). She has 7 siblings and a big extended family.
In 2000 she came to the US as an Au Pair in Cincinnati OH and since then she established herself in Dayton OH. With a Degree in Social Work and credentials as a Licensed Chemicals.
As a screenwriter, producer, and actress she has founded a production company 'Maktub Productions'. She is also a member of Women in Film (Cincinnati), FilmDayton, DATV, and International Screenwriters Association.
Recently she has written and produced a short film ‘Lonely Matrimony’ in association with Brave Runner and Soul Fire Productions. This short film has received awards for Best Short Film, Best screenplay, and Best Director with National Film Festivals. With Soul Fire Productions, she is currently a producer and has also been working on a tv series as a co-writer.
Adri hopes to continue to bring other projects such as independent films, documentaries and tv shows to the screen.
Janice Paschal
Janice Paschal is a published author, award-winning poet and Playwright
based out of Atlanta, GA, Originally she is from Dayton, Ohio and is a
performing artist and choreographer. Early on in her career she
began writing when she toured with Dayton’s own Creative Energy in
the hit play, “For Colored Girls.” Janice has received the Editors Choice
Award for Best New Poets In America. Her works have been performed from
Como, Italy to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C..
During the “100th year of Flight” celebration honoring
Wilbur and Orville Wright, Paschal wrote the signature
Piece, “Dare” which is currently featured In the Montgomery County
School System in Ohio. She has been featured in “Who’s Who in
American Poetry” and The National Library Of Poetry.
In 1990 Paschal moved to Philadelphia and produced her own one-woman
Show, “Faith Hope Love and Laughter” that featured spoken word monologues,
music and dance and toured her show on the east coast.
In 1993, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia with hopes of breaking into the
bustling entertainment Industry. With this fresh start she continued to perform
and in 2005 published her book, “IMAGES: HEART AND SOUL”. Soon after, Janice
teamed up with recording artist Tameko Star, owner of Starhouse Entertainers
where she is now the co-director of Starhouse, a talent development
and production company.
Star and Paschal have become a dynamic duo in Atlanta, writing, directing and producing
Theater at it’s best, most notably Superstar Dreamz: Live! In 2018 this production
received the Festival Favorite and Best Director Award for the Atlanta
Black Theater Festival held in Georgia.
Janice has trained many students who have gone on to have successful careers on
Broadway, television, film and the music industry. She is the recipient of the
Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award for her contribution in community work with young
people. Currently Janice is working on a new film project and producing
the next global sensation.
Ed Dixon
Dayton native and longtime art enthusiast, Ed Dixon opened the Edward A. Dixon Gallery in the Fall of 2017 in Downtown Dayton, Ohio. After years of involvement in the music, film and fashion industry, Ed decided to turn his attention to his passion for visual art and began the curation of artwork from artists on a world-wide scale.
Ed has curated and hosted multiple shows at the gallery that have included artists such as Sabrina Terence, Ronnie Williams, Marilynn Page, Erica Arndts and the late, legendary Beatles animator Ron Campbell. Exhibition themes at the gallery have included We’re Doing It ALL Wrong and JOY (That’s Just What I needed). He also served on judging panels for exhibitions and artist grants such as Art of Soul! Juried Art Show presented by NAAMCC , the Ohio Art League Fall Show and the Culture Works Special Projects Grant.
Ed has sought to build comfortable and inviting environments for all level of art enthusiasts in his various gallery locations. Making the connection between the general public and visual arts is his number one goal for the Edward A. Dixon Gallery.
Ed spends promoting the visual arts, he serves on the Dayton Art Institute Collections Committee, the Executive Committee for the Dayton Sister City Committee, maintains his realtor license, serves in an advisory role for the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator, writes for his travel blog and is an avid investor. Additionally, Ed is a patron and a member of several local art organizations including the Dayton Society of Artists, The Contemporary and the Dayton Art Institute, as well as, the Cincinnati Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
TaMara E'Lan
An Indianapolis native, she is a proud mother and grandmother who is blessed to be walking in her purpose as a poet, author, inspirational speaker, playwright, screenwriter, actress, director, visual artist and stand up comedian. She has been blessed to have performed in an assortment of productions and events; where she uses all of her artistic and creative platforms to bring laughter, love and encouragement to others.
A community activist and mental health advocate TaMara created and co-founded Project W.I.N.G.S (We Inspire Nurture Guide Support) Mental - Spiritual health and wellness ministry with other survivors and members of Scott United Methodist Church of Indianapolis, Indiana. Serving as President and Lead support group facilitator from 2017-2022. She is the author of the novel "Timeless: Through the Eyes of a Poet" and forthcoming poetry novella "Wild rose blooming - the testimony of a poetic life". Playwright of the stage play "Reflections" and a screenwriter of the series "The Rhythm of Love" adapted from the novella by Author Hsanni Scott.
Rick Martin
Rick Martin has been involved in the entertainment industry since 1999 when he founded Expressions in Animation, Inc., a film and television consulting and marketing company working to market Japanese entertainment product to North, Central and South America. Aside for putting out product such as the “Ultraman 30th Anniversary Collection” and “The Best of Shock Theatre”, Expressions in Animation, Inc. successfully marketed NHK’s “The Scrappers” in Latin America. Rick also worked on several projects with famed actress and producer Barbara O.
While running Expressions in Animation, Rick was a film critic for The Dayton City Paper and The Dayton Daily News and he developed and taught over eight film history/film theory classes for Sinclair Community College with subjects as diverse as “African American Cinema”, “The Films of Akira Kurosawa” and “American Alternative Cinema”.
In the early 2000s, Rick produced the home video edition of Umberto Lenzi’s infamous “Cannibal Ferox” aka “Make Them Die Slowly” for North American release.
As a film critic, Rick was fortunate enough to interview and befriend Quentin Tarantino, was toastmaster for Ismail Merchant of Merchant Ivory Pictures when the Dayton, Ohio Indian Foundation hosted him for a retrospective of his work, and has interacted with many American, Italian and Japanese producers and directors.
In the last few years, Rick has worked as a paralegal in entertainment law as well as civil and criminal law.
Rick has also designed five board games which have been sold all over the world. His game designs are “Tiger Leader”, “The Tiger Leader Expansion”, “Sherman Leader” and 2 editions of the Serbian board game “Age of Dogfights”. Rick’s game designs mostly focus on World War I and II themes.
Rick personal interests include studying languages (he speaks Japanese and Spanish), history, paleontology, cooking and social justice.